“Exploring life through fiction, together.”

I’ve always struggled to find the balance with my diet. Sometimes I’m militant. No carbs, no snacks, no letup. Doesn’t matter if there’s a church lunch, or a birthday party, nothing takes me off track.

Other times (probably most of the time), I ram down any sweet treat I can get my hands on. I’ll snack constantly, telling myself day after day “It’s ok. You can do better tomorrow.”

Fiction Bite - Everyone has their routine

He’d come here every Saturday morning since he looked old enough to drink. Always a double whiskey, crisps, and a pack of cigarettes. Ok, so now he couldn’t smoke inside, but he’d fumble the ends and imagine the feeling.

They had a new barmaid. He’d had to ask for his order.

“We don’t sell crisps,” she said.

“There’s a box round back. Danny keeps them in just for me.”

“Why?”

Because he’d always come here. Because without this, his whole week fell apart. Because something in this god-damn chaotic world had to be predictable.

“Because he’s a good lad,” he said, “and I pay him to.”

The crisps came, whiskey too. The bar was empty, so the girl pulled up a stool opposite him.

“Isn’t it a bit early, like?”

“Honey,” he took a sip of whiskey, “when you get to my age, it’s really hard to give a fuck.”

Quote of the Week

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, and order, and rhythm, and harmony.” – Thomas Merton

Book of the month

Can’t Hurt Me Now by David Goggins

Final Words

Balance.

Because I don’t want to look back on my life, and have always turned away from joy due to an over-imposed asceticism.

Nor do I want to look back on a life of gluttony, characterised by a lack of willpower.

But how do I know where the sweet spot is while I’m still living through the thick of it?

And I’m not trying to tell anyone how to eat. Food is my battleground. Where’s yours? And do you have any tips on how to navigate it?

Would you be willing to hit reply? It’d make my day to hear from you.

With Love,

Josiah

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